Anemia

Anemia of Pregnancy

The most frequent cause of pregnancy related anemia is iron deficiency. In this type of pregnancy related anemia, the diet is not providing enough iron for your hemoglobin needs. In general your body is meeting your baby's needs first. However, Hemoglobin is the molecule in your blood that carries oxygen to your baby. It is a very important molecule. And it is important that your blood supply oxygen to the placenta.
Anemia, in addition to not meeting the oxygen requirements for your baby during pregnancy, has a tendency to cause hemorrhage at delivery. Especially if the hemoglobin drops below 10.0. Your goal should be to get your hemoglobin above 11.0 and as close to 12.0 as possible.
If you smoke, your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels will be falsely elevated. It is more important for women who smoke to be extra vigilant regarding eating iron rich foods.

What to do?

Fact #1

The biggest barrier for iron absorption has been a lack of digestive enzymes in the intestinal tract.

While working in the hospital setting, I have seen women prescribed 3 iron tablets a day, taking them with orange juice as directed, and still 4 weeks later there was no change in the iron count. What went wrong? This can be a result of life long dietary habits and the natural hormonal changes of pregnancy that change the intestinal functioning. The body just can't absorb iron without Betaine HCL. This can be corrected with Beets! Beets can be juiced with carrots and 4 oz. of carrot beet juice prior to meals supplies Betaine, a natural digestive enzyme that assists with food digestion is supplied. However, it takes lots of preplanning and preparation to accomplish this goal. And fortunately one can purchase Beet root powder at their local health food store and take 3-6 capsules of beet root prior to and with meals. Digestive enzymes, also available in capsule form, in addition to beet root powder will amplify the amount of iron that your intestines can actually absorb. Usually 1 digestive enzyme capsule 20 minutes before meals is sufficient. (If you are taking an iron supplement, you need to be able to absorb it!). Be sure you are eating foods or taking a supplement that supplies all of your B-vitamins.

Fact #2

Some foods interfere with the absorption of iron from the intestinal tract.

Milk, antacids, zinc, calcium tablets, chocolate, spinach, Kale, soda, sorrel, almonds, cashews and asparagus, candy bars, dairy, ice cream, rhubarb can all interfere with iron absorption. Eat less of these foods for awhile and certainly not within four hours of taking your iron supplement.

Fact #3

Eating Iron rich foods will build your iron count.

They will increase your hemoglobin count. Eat them daily. Foods rich in iron are: yellow dock. Most people have never heard of yellow dock. This can be added to salad and gathered wild. It is available in capsule form as a food supplement. Generally 2 capsules three times a day is a sufficient amount. This vegetable is over 60% iron! Broccoli, prunes, raisins, red meats, kelp, blackstrap molasses (one tablespoon /day), egg yolks, leafy greens, legumes such as lentils and peas, parsley, rice bran, whole grains, peanut butter and last but certainly not least- liver! Liver is a very rich source of iron. If you don't like the taste of liver, dessicated liver or raw liver extract can be purchased and taken daily in small amounts. Raw liver extract is usually taken at 500 mg twice a day.

Herbs that help supply the body with iron and are safe for pregnancy include: organic alfalfa, dandelion, nettles and red-raspberry leaf.

Chorophyll liquid- taken as one tsp in three separate glasses of water throughout the day will raise a hemoglobin fast. The down side is that you must continue to take this nutrient until the baby is born!